Company hopes for mass suits sales overseas

DRY suits created by a South Yorkshire company help to protect thousands of UK emergency workers, and will now do the same for others overseas.

Fire crews and coastguards are among those kitted out with the suits made by Hoyland-based AZDRY.

And with backing from Enterprising Barnsley to take its product to markets overseas, the company has already landed a contract to supply helicopter rescue service workers in Japan.

AZDRY has also taken on a new staff member, and expects to create more new job opportunities in the near future.

The suits have a sealing system which keeps wearers completely dry and protects them from the cold, pollutants and diseases in water.

But their front-entry zip and ‘telescopic torsos’ also mean they can be adjusted to fit wearers who differ in height by up to six inches.

Director Graham Wiggins created the suits three years ago and they have been supplied to almost a third of the UK’s fire services, from Scotland down to Cornwall, plus HM Coastguard, the UK Border Agency and Environment Agency.

Graham said: “The new suit has been designed to offer total freedom of movement. This helps to make the task at hand, which can go on for many hours, less tiring. In addition to this, it comes in three versions and we can meet bespoke requirements if requested.

“Emergency and rescue teams have worn our suit in all manner of high-profile rescues, such as major flooding incidents.”

Graham added: “Through Enterprising Barnsley we have been working to improve our branding and marketing approach, which will give our company a fresh look and promote our products in three different languages. The languages will most likely be German and Russian in addition to English as we’re targeting parts of the world that have colder waters.”

He continued: “We are proud to have our manufacturing base in Barnsley and aim to significantly increase the workforce over the coming months. We source high-grade components made in the UK with our focus always on design, functionality and quality.”

For more information about AZDRY, visit www.azdry.eu, email Graham at graham@azdry.eu or ring 01226 351333.

The programme is supported financially by the European Union. The project has attracted £2,259,511 investment into Barnsley from the European Regional Development Fund as part of Europe’s support for the region’s economic development, through the Yorkshire and Humber ERDF Programme.